Since our statement below, Australia as one of only two countries - along with the United States - has rejected a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution (at an urgent meeting on Friday 18 May 2018) to investigate the killings of 60 Palestinians in Gaza.

The resolution passed with the backing of 29 members of the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council, another 14 countries including Britain, Germany and Japan, abstained.

While we welcome the UN decision as a step towards justice for the Palestinian people, we are appalled by our government’s vote against the resolution. Even in the face of such blatant human rights violations, the Australian government continues to provide uncritical support for Israel.